Phoenix Suns vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction: Suns struggling without Booker, Nets struggling without Durant

Basketball is a fun game and at a professional level, coaches prepare elaborate schemes, expecting these top athletes to run nuanced plays, confusing the defense. But to do that smoothly, they need high-quality athletes and an Ace who can be relied upon in tough situations. At times, when that Ace is missing, the team can derail. This is what has happened to the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets which will meet here.

The Suns enter the game after another horrid result as they lost 106:136 against the elite unit of Grizzlies to make it three losses in a row and they have now lost 12 of their last 14 games. They have now been reduced to 24 losses and have just 21 wins after beginning the season with 15 wins and six losses. Their campaign derailed immediately after Devin Booker got injured but now the losing margin has gotten so big that the Suns look like a lottery team without their Aces. This is after a season where they won 64 and lost 18 games.

These results are disappointing considering that the team still has two of the most talented young players in Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges. But these results are understandable too considering Chris Paul has also been injured while Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson are missing too. However, Deandre Ayton has been unable to live up to the hype around him after he had progressed every season whereas Bridges’ impact is limited on the offensive end. Will Ayton be traded soon?

The Nets come into this game after losing 98:106 against the Spurs in a game where Kyrie Irving was absent due to injury. The team is already playing without Kevin Durant and since has gone, they have lost three in a row. Their offense has taken a huge hit without KD and they have hovered around just 100 points after scoring 108 or more points repeatedly. Despite these slim returns, the Nets have 27 wins and 16 losses and remain in play for the top-two spots in the East although not having Durant can hurt it.

This is why they will need Irving to switch it on whose effectiveness seems to go down without a superstar player by his side. The team's defense has been one of the best in the league and having Claxton, Simmons, and O’Neale helps a lot in that regard. However, they will need more from Simmons on the offensive end. Irving can supply great offense but without Durant alongside him, defenses can be glued to him. Let us see how long the Nets can go without KD.

• Suns: OUT: Devin Booker, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, Josh Okogie. QUESTIONABLE: Chris Paul;
• Nets: OUT: Kevin Durant. PROBABLE: Kyrie Irving.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Kyrie Irving(30-35 Points), Mikal Bridges(20-26 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Nic Claxton(10-13 Rebounds), Deandre Ayton(9-11 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Ben Simmons(9-12 Assists), Mikal Bridges(5-7 Assists).

The Suns’ recent form doesn’t inspire any confidence and although the Nets have lost three in a row, both their energy and chemistry have been way better than the Suns. Although they are playing at home, Phoenix’s chances look slim here and their offense can be in for another tough night. I expect a low-scoring game and the Nets to come on top with a scoreline of 106:101.